Journal lubricator



Jan. l, 1952 J W. HULSON JOURNAL LUBRICATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 29, 1950 El... big. i

Jan. 1, 1952 J. w. HuLsoN JOURNAL LUBRICATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 29. 1950 QH INVENTOR j@ www. v Y

l ATTORNEYS Jan. l, 1952 J. w. HuLsoN JOURNAL LUBRICATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 29, 1950 R Mg mm "w j mm mw Sm M Lm 0M Janl, 1952 J. w. HuLsoN 2,581,020

JOURNAL LUBRICATOR Filed July 29. 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 f3 @l 4; "4/ 4f lNvE T oR ATTORNEYS Patented l, 1952 JOURNAL LUBRICATOR .lohn W. llulnon, Chicago, Ill.,

Company, Chicago, Ill.,

mignotto nunon a corporation of Iowa Application July 29, 1950, Serial No. 176,622

(c1. sos-s1) A 16 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to the lubrication of the journals of railway vehicles, the journal boxes of which are packed with waste serving as means for retaining the lubricating oil and for applying it to the journals. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a novel lubricating device for use in a journal box of the type referred to, for the purpose of holding the waste i-n proper position to engage the journal. The new device is superior to prior similar devices, in that it prevents strands of waste from being carried up with the journal and caught between the journal and the brass, and it directs dirty oil thrown from the rotating journal away from the top of the packing of waste and into the bottom of the journal box, where the oil is taken up by the waste, while the dirt remains behind. The device is made in one piece of a iiexible oil-resistant material, preferably a suitable synthetic rubber, and it is easily inserted in a journal box and is not injured either by the usual waste packing operations or by the relative shifting of the journal and the journal box, when the vehicle is subjected to heavy impact.

The new lubricator comprises a vessel having a width closely approximating that of the journal box, in which it is to be used. The bottom of the vessel is provided with means to support it on the bottom of the box and the central longitudinal section of the bottom of the vessel is provided with openings elongated lengthwise of the vessel. On opposite sides of the central section, the bottom is formed to provide sumps, in which oil can collect, and the bottom curves upwardly from the sumps to form side walls lying opposite the journal. The top of each side wall is provided with an inwardly extending flange formed with a series of spaced projections, preferably in the form of sharp parallel ridges lying transverse to the long axis of the vessel and extending from the inner edge of the flange outwardly over the top thereof to terminate close to the side wall. Similar ,projections are formed on the outer surface of each side wall near its upper end and each flange is provided with a plurality of holes lying inwardly from its side wall. At its rear end, the vessel has a wall extending upwardly to engage the axle adjacent the inner shoulder of the journal, while the forward end of the vessel extends past the outer end of the journal to terminate at the front end of the box in a wall. the upper edge of which lies close to the lower edge of the opening closed bythe journal box cover.

For a better understanding of the invention,

drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical transverse sectional view through one conventional type of journal box containing one form of the new lubricator;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l, showing another form of the lubricator for use in a different type of box;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the lubricator shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through a journal box containing a modied form of the new lubricator;

Fig. 6 is a transverse view, of which the left half shows the lubricator of Fig. 5 prior to installation in a journal box and the right half shows the lubricator installed; and

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the lubricator of Fig. 5.

In Fig. l, the new lubricator II) is illustrated as installed in a journal box I I having a flat bottom IIa and vertical side walls IIb. The box is of the type frequently used on passenger cars and the journal I2 projects into the box through an opening in the rear wall. A bearing brass I3 rests upon the journal within the box and a wedge I4 is interposed between the brass and the top wall IIc of the box.

The new lubricator, which is of one piece construction and preferably made of an oil-resistant synthetic rubber, has the form of a vessel I0 provided with an upwardly concave bottom having a central longitudinal section I5 formed with a plurality of openings I5a elongated lengthwise of the vessel. On opposite sides of the central section, the bottom of the vessel is formed with depressions I6 serving as sumps for holding lubricating oil. The bottom curves upwardly from the outer edges of the sumps to merge into side walls Il. In order to support the curved bottom vessel firmly on the flat bottom lla of the journal box, the bottom of the vessel is provided with a plurality of legs I8, which engage both the side walls IIb and the'bottom of the box.

Near its upper end, the outer surface of each side wall I1 of the lubricator is formed with a series of spaced projections I9, which are preferably parallel ribs of triangular cross-section extending vertically and lying with their sharp l edges in contact with the inner surfaces of the side walls IIb of the journal box. At its top. each side walls is formed with a flange 20 of vertical arched cross-section, which is provided on its upper surface with a series of projections 2 I,

preferably having the form of parallel ribs of triangular cross-section extending transverse to the long axis of the lubricator. In the construction shown in Fig. l, each flange is formed on its outer side With a plurality of recesses 22, spaced along the flange, and each recess has a passage 23 leading from its bottom surface through the wall of the lubricator close to the inner surface of a side wall I1 thereof. Between the recesses, the ribs 2| extend from one edge of the flange over the top thereof to the opposite edge. pposite each recess, the ribs extend from the inner edge of the flange over the top to the top edge of the recess.

The shape and position of the flanges are such that, when the lubricator is in normal position in a journal box, the ends 2 la of the sharp edges of the ribs on the inner sides of the anges bear against the journal and the flanges are slightly compressed. Sometimes, when the car is subjected to severe impact, the journal may be momentarily displaced relative to the brass, as is shown in Fig. 1, and, when this occurs, one flange of the lubricator, for example, that at the right in Fig. 1, will be flattened somewhat and the other will expand, but the edges of the ribs on the flanges will make contact at all times with thejournal.

In the use of the lubricator, it is collapsed slightly by forcing its side walls toward one another, and then passed through the opening at the front yof the journal box and beneath the journal. When the side walls are released, they spring apart and the anges bear against the journal. as described. A quantity of waste 24 is then inserted into the lubricator beneath the journal and some of the waste is forced by means of a packing iron through openings a into the bot tom of the box. In order to hold the waste in position, the bottom of the lubricator is provided with a plurality of pointed pins 25, which penetrate the waste. Oil is then fed into the forward end of the lubricator and it saturates the waste and also runs through openings I5a into the bottom of the box. The lubricator is formed with a pair of projections 26 on the bottom near the front end to show the proper level of the oil in the box.

The alternative form of the lubricator` shown in Figs. 2-4, inc., is for use in a journal box 2l, having a round bottom 21a merging into vertical side walls 28, each of which is formed with an integral horizontal wasteretaining rib 28a on inner surface. The lubricator 29 has a round bottom of a curvature like that of the bottom of the box and the bottom of the lubricator has a central section 30 extending lengthwise and formed with elongated openings 30a. The bottom of the lubricator has a pair of sumps 3| on opposite sides of the central section and, beyond the sumps, the bottom merges into vertical side walls 32, which terminate just below the ribs 28a on the box. The outer surfaces of the side walls and bottom of the sumps of the lubricator are provided with spaced transverse beads 33, engaging the inner surfaces of the box and holding the bottom and side walls of the lubricator slightly spaced therefrom.

At its upper end, each side wall 32 has spaced vertical projections on its outer surface, which are preferably ribs of triangular section and lie with their sharp edges in contact with the inner surface of the side wall of the journal box. The top end of each side wall is provided with a flange 35 of arch secttion, the flange being connected to the side wall through a lateral extension lying beneath the rib 28a on the wall of the box and having openings 36 lying close to the inner surface of the adjacent side wall 32 of the lubricator. Each flange 35 is provided with ribs 35a of triangular section, which lie transverse to the flange and extend from the inner edge oLthe flange over the top thereof to terminate either adjacent the end of adjacent side wall 32 or close to one edge of an opening 36. The sharp edges of the inner endsof the ribs 35a bear against the journal l2' and each flange is slightly compressed under normal conditions. The bottom of the lubricator is provided with a plurality of pointed projections 31 for holding in place the waste to be inserted in the lubricator.

At its forward end 38, the lubricator projects beyond the end of the journal into the front of the box so that oil may be readily introduced into the lubricator through the front-end of the box. At its rear end, the lubricator has a Wall 39, which extends upwardly to terminatel close to the shoulder at which the journal merges with the axle 40.

The form of the new lubricator shown in Figs. 5-7, inc. is preferred for installation on cars to be used inxhigh speed express service, in which the cars are subjected to unusually severe forces when passing over switches, cross-overs, etc. This form of the lubricator includes a one-piece vessel 4| having a bottom curved to fit the bottom of the journal box 42 and formed with a raised central section 43 extending lengthwise of the vessel and having elongated openings 44. On opposite sides of the central section, the bottom is formed with oil sumps 45, outwardly from which the vessel has side walls 46. A flange 41 extends inwardly from the upper end of each side wall and the side walls are lower and the flanges longer than in the constructions of Figs. 1 and 2, so that, when the lubricator is installed in the journal box, the top of each side wall lies well below the axis of the journal 48 and the fian'ges are bent downwardly by their engagement with the journal.

Each flange 4l is formed with spaced transverse projections 49, preferably in the form of ribs of triangular section, on its upper surface and similar projections 5l)v on a part of its under surface, projections Sli extending somewhat beyond the inner edge of the flange. Each flange is also formed with a plurality of openings 5I leading to the interior of the vessel along the inner surface of the adjacent side wall 46. The projections 49 on the upper surface of each flange have short extensions 49a on the outer surface of the adjacent side wall 48. The flanges 4l terminate well inward from the collar 48a on the end of the journal, when the lubricator is installed, and there are no projections 49a on the outer side of each side wall beyond the outer ends of the flanges 41. There are thus no parts of the lubricator, except the upper portions of the side walls 46, between the journal collar 48a and the sides of the box, so that, in the event of great displacement of the journal from the brass 52, no damage will be done to the lubricator.

'I'he vessel 46 is provided with spaced trans verse beads 53 on the outer surfaces of side walls 46 and the bottom of the vessel, the beads engaging the inner surface of the journal box and supporting the vessel. At its forward end 54, the vessel lies in contact with the front wall 'of the journal box and its rear wall 55 engages the axle 56 inwardly from the inner end of the journal. 'I'he vessel is provided with spaced projections 51 on its inner surface for engaging and anchoring the waste 58.

i In the use of the new lubricator in any of the forms shown, the lubricator is installed in the journal box to rest upon the bottom of the box and the sharp edges of the ribs on the flanges bear against the journal. The waste in inserted into the lubricator at its front end and forced into position by the usual packing iron. In the packing operation, some of the waste is forced 'down through the openings in the bottom of the lubricator to the bottom of the box. The desired quantity of oil is then introduced into the lubricator and saturates the waste and collects in the bottom of the box. When the lubricator is thus installed, the flanges of the boxes shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are under slight compression, while those of the box of Fig. 5 are bent downwardly. In all three forms, the ends of the ribs on the flanges bear against the journal. As the journal rotates, some of the oil thrown free from the journal strikes the side of the box and flows down outside the llubricator to collect in the bottom of the box. Gil thrown from the journal against a flange of the lubricator flows downwardly either between the ribs on the upper face of the flange or through the openings in the flange to collect in the sumps and enter the wastev within the lubricator. Oil, which collects in the bottom of the box, is likely to be contaminated with dirt and the oil rises through the waste by capillary action but the dirt remains behind.

In the event that the car, on which the lubricator of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2, is used. is subjected to severe impact, which causes the journal to shift partially from beneath the brass, as shown in Fig. 1, the flange on the lubricator at one side ofthe journal is compressed and the other expands. Under similar conditions, one flange of the lubricator of Fig. 5 is bent down further, while the other may rise slightly. Since the ribs extend completely across the vtop of each flange, in all forms of the lubricator, the ribs contact with the journal at all times despite distortion of the flanges and there is no possibility of a flat smooth part of the lubricator bearing against the journal and wiping it free of oil. Also, since the flanges are under compression or are flexed at all times, they maintain contact with the journal as it wears down. The ribs on the flanges function at all times to prevent strands of waste from being carried up by the journal and caught beneath the brass. The formation of the bottom of the lubricator with the twosumps insures that a supply of oil will be in contact with the waste, even though the oil in the box yitself is relatively low. The lubricator thus prevents the occurrence of conditions, under which `hot boxes develop.

I claim:

l. A lubricator for use in a journal .box for holding a packing of waste in contact with the journal, which comprises a vessel of flexible resilient material havinga bottom formed with a 6 plurality of openings in the central section thereof and oil sumps on opposite sides of said section, side walls extending upwardly from the sides of the bottom of the vessel, spaced projections on the outer surfaces of the side walls adapted to engage the sides of the journal box, and anges extending inwardly from the upper ends of said side walls, each flange having spaced projections on itsrinner edge adapted to engage thejournal and a plurality of openings through it adjacent its connection to its side wall.

2. A lubricator for use in a journal box for holding a packing of waste in contact with the journal, which comprises a vessel of flexible resilient material having a bottom formed with a plurality of openings in the central section thereof and oil sumps on opposite sides of said section, side walls extending upwardly from the sides of the bottom of the vessel, spaced projections on the outer surfaces of the side walls adapted to engage the sides of the journal box, and flanges extending inwardly from the upper ends of said side walls, the flanges being substantially of arch section and having projections on the inner and outer sides of the top surfaces thereof, the projections on the inner side of the top surface of each flange being adapted to engage the journal.

3. A lubricator for use in a journal box for holding a packing of waste in contact with the journal, which comprises a vessel of flexible resilient material having a bottom formed with a plurality of openings in the central section thereof and oil sumps on opposite sides of said section, side walls extending upwardly from the sides of the bottom of the vessel, spaced projections on the outer surfaces of the side walls adapted to engage the sides of the journal box, and flanges extending inwardly from the upper ends of said side walls, each flange having spaced projections on its inner edge and top surface, and a plurality of openings through it inward from its connection to its side wall, the projections on the upper surface of the flange being adapted to engage the journal.

4. A lubricator for use in a journal box for holding a packing of waste in contact with the journal, which comprises a vessel of flexible resilient material having a bottom formed with a plurality of opemngs in the central section thereof and oil sumps on opposite sides of said section, side walls extending upwardly from the sides of the bottom of the vessel, spaced projections on the outer surfaces of the side walls adapted to engage the sides of the journal box, and flanges extending inwardly from the upper ends of said side walls, each flange having a series of transverse ribs of triangular section on its inner edge and across its top surface, the edges of the ribs adjacent the inner edge of the flange being adapted to engage the journal.

5. A lubricator for use in a journal box for holding a packing of waste in contact with the journal, which comprises a vessel of flexible resilient material having a bottom formed with a plurality of openings in the central section thereof and oil sumps on opposite sides of said section, side walls extending upwardly from the sides of the bottom of the vessel, spaced projections on the outer surfaces of the side walls adapted to engage the sides of the journal box, and flanges extending inwardly from the upper ends of said side walls, each flange having a series of transverse ribs of triangular section across its top surface and a/plurality of openings through it inward from its 'connection tov its side wall. the edges of the ribs adjacent the inner edge of the flange being adapted to engage the journal.

6. A lubricator for use in a journal box for holding a packing of waste in contact with the journal, which comprises a vessel of flexible resilient material having a bottom formed with a plurality of openings in the central section thereof and oil sumps on opposite sides of said section, side walls extending upwardly from thy sides of the bottom of the vessel, a series o` vertical ribs of triangular section on the outer surface of each side wall, the edges of the ribs being adapted to engage the inner surfaces of the vertical walls of the journal box, and flanges extending inwardly from the upper ends of said side walls, each flange having a series of transverse ribs of triangular section on its top surface, the edges of the ribs adjacent the inner edge of the flange being adapted to engage the journal.

7. A lubricator for use in a journal box for holding a packing of waste in contact with the journal, which comprises a vessel of flexible resilient material having a bottom formed with a plurality of openings inthe central section thereof and oil sumps on opposite sides of said section, side walls extending upwardly from the sides of the bottom of the vessel', a series of vertical ribs of triangular section on the outer surface of each side wall, the edges of the ribs being adapted to engage the inner surfaces of the vertical walls of the journal box, and flanges extending inwardly from the upper ends of said side walls, each flange having a plurality of openings through it inward from its connection to its side wall and a series of transverse ribs of triangular section on its top surface, the edges of the ribs adjacent the inner edge of the flange being adapted to engage the journal.

8. A lubricator for use in a journal box for holding a packing of waste in contact with the journal, which comprises a vessel of flexible resilient material having a bottom formed with a longitudinal row of openings along its median line and oil sumps on opposite sides of the row of openings and extending lengthwise of the vessel, projections on the bottom of the vessel adapted to engage the bottom of the box to hold the vessel with its bottom spaced from the bottom of the box, side walls rising from the sides of the bottom of the vessel at the outer edges of the sumps and having spaced projections on their outer surfaces adapted to engage the side walls of the box and hold the side walls of the vessel spaced therefrom, and a pair of flanges connected to the upper ends of the side walls of the vessel and extending inwardly therefrom, the flanges having openings therethrough leading into the interior of the vessel and spaced projections on their tops, the projections adjacent the inner edges of the flanges being adapted to engage the journal.

9. A lubricator for use in a journal box for holding a packing of waste in contact with the journal, which comprises a vessel of ilexible resilient material having a bottom formed with a L longitudinal row of openings along its median line 'and oil sumps on opposite sides of the row of openings 4and extending lengthwise of the vessel, projections on the bottom of the vessel adapted to engage the bottom of the box to hold the Vessel with its bottom spaced from the bottom of the box, side walls rising from the sides of the bottom of the vessel at the outer edge of the sumps and having spaced projections on their outer surfaces adapted to engage the side walls of the box and hold the side walls of the vessel spaced therefrom, and flanges connected to the upper ends of the side walls of the vessel and extending inwardly therefrom, each flange having a plurality of openings therethrough leading into the interior of the vessel and a series of transverse ribs of triangular section across its top, the edges of the ribs adjacent the inner edge of the flange being adapted to engage thejournal.

l0. A lubricator for use in a journal box for holding a packing of waste in contact with the journal, which comprises a vessel of .flexible resilient material having a bottom formed with a longitudinal row of openings along its median line and oil sumps on opposite sides of the row of openings and extending lengthwise of the vessel, projections on the bottom of the vessel adapted to engage the bottom of the box to hold the vessel with its bottom spaced from the bottom of the box, side walls rising from the sides of the bottom at the outer edges of the sumps and having vertical ribs of triangular section on their outer surfaces adapted to engage the side walls of the box and hold the side walls of the vessel spaced therefrom, and flanges connected to the upper ends of the side walls of the vessel and extending inwardly therefrom, each flange having a plurality of openings therethrough leading into the interior of the vessel and a series of transverse ribs of triangular section across the top surface of the flange, the edges of the ribs adjacent the inner edges of the flanges being adapted to engage the journal.

i1. A lubricator for use in a journal box for holding a packing of waste in contact with the journal, which comprises a vessel of flexible resilient material having a bottom formed with a plurality of openings in its central section and sumps extending lengthwise of the bottom on opposite sides of the group of openings, side walls rising from the sides of the bottom and adapted to terminate above the lowermost surface of the journal and below the axis of the journal, and flanges extending inwardly from the upper ends of the side walls toward the journal and having openings therethrough leading to the interior of the vessel, each flange having an inner section leading upwardly and outwardly from the journal, the section being formed with a series of transverse ribs, the edges of which are adapted to engage the journal.

12. A lubricator for use in a journal box for holding a packing of waste in contact with the journal, which comprises a vessel of flexible resilient material having a bottom formed with a plurality of openings in its central section and sumps extending lengthwise of the bottom on opposite sides of the group of openings, side walls rising from the sides of the bottom and adapted to terminate above the lowermost surface of the journal and below the axis of the journal, and flanges extending inwardly from the upper ends of the side walls toward the journal and having openings therethrough leading to the interior of the vessel, each flange having an inner section leading upwardly and outwardly from the journal and an outer section leading outwardly and downwardly from the outer end of the inner section, each flange being formed with a plurality of openings in its outer section leading to the interior of the vessel and a series of transverse ribs of triangular section extending across the tops of the sections, the edges of the ribs on the inner section near the inner end thereof being adapted to bear against the journal.

13. A lubricator for use in a journal box for holding a packing of waste in contact with the journal, which comprises a vessel of flexible resilient material having a perforated bottom, side walls extending upwardly from the sides of the bottom, spaced projections on the outer surfaces of the side walls adapted to engage the sides of the box and hold the side walls spaced therefrom, and flanges extending inwardly from the upper ends of said side walls. each flange having spaced projections on its top surface and inner edge, the projections adjacent the inner edge of the flange normally engaging the journal.

14. A lubricator for use in a journal box for holding a packing of waste in contact with the journal, which comprises a vessel of flexible resilient material having a perforated bottom. side walls extending upwardly from the sides of the bottom, spaced projections on the outer surfaces of the side walls adapted to engage the sides of the box and hold the side walls spaced therefrom, and flanges extending inwardly from the upper ends of said side walls. each ange having a plurality oi' holes through it adjacent its connection to its side wall and spaced projections on its top surface and inner edge, the projections adjacent the inner edge of the flange normally engaging the journal.

15. A lubricator for use in a journal box for holding a packing of waste in contact with the journal, which comprises a vessel of flexible resilient material having a perforated bottom. side walls extending upwardly from the sides of the bottom. spaced projections on the outer surfaces of the side walls adapted to engage the sides of the box and hold the side walls spaced therefrom. and flanges extending inwardly from the upper ends of said side walls, each flange having a plurality of holes through it adjacent its connection to its side wall and a series of transverse ribs of triangular section on its top surface and inner edge. the ends of the ribs adjacent the inner edge of the flange normally engaging th journal.

16. A lubricator for use in a journal boxfor holding a packing of waste in contact with the journal which comprises a vessel of rubber having side walls and flanges extending inwardly from the upper end of the respective sidewalls, each ange having openings through it leadjfng to the interior of the vessel and spaced projections extending across its upper surface, the free ends of the projections adjacent the inner edges of the anges normally engaging the journal and the flanges being distorted by the journal.

JOHN W. HULSON.

No references cited. 

